The Myeloma Crowd is opening the largest COVID-19 multiple myeloma patient study. Myeloma patients can make a valuable contribution to fighting COVID-19 and receive a free antibody test. We can join together to quickly answer critical questions to help us get through the COVID-19 crisis and come out stronger, healthier and more knowledgeable in the process.
The general information we have today about COVID-19 is limited. Data on the virus's impact on myeloma patients is even more scarce. Instead of listening to anecdotal experiences or rumors, let's contribute our individual experience and use real data to drive our future decisions.
We can answer key questions such as:
The COVID-19 Myeloma Patient Study is a series of questions that have been created by our Multiple Myeloma Research Review Board. These myeloma experts and the Myeloma Crowd want to know how COVID-19 is affecting myeloma patients.
We have created this study inside the HealthTree platform, which has over 5,300 registered myeloma patients and is a timely and comprehensive tool for such a study. Patients are invited to create a HealthTree profile and then answer the study questions.
The anonymous answers will be aggregated and analyzed by myeloma researchers to identify recommendations that will help all myeloma patients know how best be protected and effectively treated for both COVID-19 and their myeloma. Our goal is to include 1,000 myeloma and precursor condition patients and to provide reporting results quickly.
All multiple myeloma patients and precursor condition patients (MGUS and SMM) are invited to join. You can join the study if you are COVID-19 positive or negative. Our goal is to include 1000 patients in the study.
HealthTree is a tool that helps you navigate your myeloma AND enables this type of rapid research to develop new, faster hypotheses. You will find additional benefits in using HealthTree beyond the study as it was created to help myeloma patients navigate their disease while simultaneously accelerating myeloma research.
Join the COVID-19 Myeloma Patient Study
This study has been jointly created and reviewed by the following multiple myeloma researchers:
Your donations to this Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative project are welcome. Donations will help us provide free kits to study participants, administer the study, and analyze/share the study results with participants. Donations at specific levels will be provided with a study "Stronger Together" T-shirt (mens and womens sizes available).
Donate to the COVID-19 Myeloma Patient Study
The Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative is a crowdsourcing method of funding important myeloma research. The first Myeloma Crowd Research Initiative (MCRI) successfully raised $500,000 for two immunotherapy research projects for high-risk myeloma (CAR T and T cell treatments). The second MCRI campaign raised $250,000 for personalized myeloma therapies. Now we invite you to donate to this important project that will provide new insights in the relationship between COVID-19 and myeloma. Help us identify the best possible protective therapies against COVID-19 for myeloma patients by donating to the MCRI today.
about the author
Jennifer Ahlstrom
Myeloma survivor, patient advocate, wife, mom of 6. Believer that patients can help accelerate a cure by weighing in and participating in clinical research. Founder of HealthTree Foundation (formerly Myeloma Crowd).
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